Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Embark Dog Hike
2023-10-21 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy this approx. 2-mile hike around Quarry Trails Metro Park with your dog! Meet at the Lakes Parking lot. 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, follow signs for the park.

Adult Date Night: Fall Evening Hike
2023-10-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for sunset hike to enjoy fall color in the forest at Highbanks and learn about the science behind it. Hike will be approximately 2 miles on crushed limestone trails with some hills. An excellent option for a date night, but singles are welcome as well (dates not included 🙂 Age 18+. Bring a flashlight.
Meeting Location Oak Coves: The Oak Coves picnic area is your first LEFT after entering the park. Once you turn left into the Oak Coves picnic area, we will be in the THIRD parking lot. This parking lot has a bathroom AND playground. Meet the naturalist in front of the bulletin board. If the parking lot is full, the Oak Coves picnic area has 4 other parking lots within 5-8 minutes walking time of the meeting location.

Pumpkin Walk Around The Pond
2023-10-20 17:30 - 19:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take an easy 1/2 mile walk around Turtle Pond to look at the pumpkins and pick up treats at stops along the way. Costume wearing is encouraged! Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

EWW! That's Gross!
2023-10-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
For Kids: Ew! That’s Gross! – Animals can be pretty gross sometimes! Learn about the sticky, slimy, and smelly defenses animals use and make a gross craft to take home.

Barktoberfest
2023-10-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Fun for you and your canine best friend! We’ll have food trucks and a costume contest!

Fall Color Hike
2023-10-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
View the changing colors of fall on a 4-mile hike to Buzzard’s Roost. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven in areas, wear sturdy hiking shoes and be prepared for elevation gain. Meet at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge.

Backpacking Series: Week 5 Clothing
2023-10-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end!
Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class.
**Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week #5: Layering, Footwear, Foot Care, and Trekking Poles – We will discuss the layer system and fabric options to consider when choosing what to wear for backpacking. We’ll talk about how to choose appropriate footwear and how to take care of your feet while hiking. All materials will be provided. We will end with a discussion about trekking poles and a demonstration on proper technique.
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Spooky Animals
2023-10-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to see some spooky animals and learn why they’re not so scary.

Fall Tree Identification Walk
2023-10-15 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn how to identify Ohio trees using leaves, seeds and other characteristics on an easy 1-mile walk. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Make It: Leaf rubbing bookmarks
2023-10-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Drop in to make a colorful leaf rubbing bookmark while learning about different leaf shapes. All ages. Limited parking at nature center.
Meeting Location Notes: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. There is limited parking in the Nature Center lot on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, a 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.

Backpacking Series: Week 4 Food
2023-10-14 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-10-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end!
Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class.
**Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week #4: Food, Calories, Weight, Cooking, Storage, LNT-Waste disposal – Come learn the basic principles behind meal planning while backpacking. We will work together to dish up some tasty food perfect for the trail. Then we will practice Leave No Trace Principles and practice hanging a bear bag.
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Fall Fest
2023-10-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Join us on October 14, from 11am to 3pm for Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park!
Activities include: corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patch, archery, live music, crafts, games, s’mores, food trucks and more!
This is the event to get your 75-Year Challenge prizes, so make sure you fill the form out before arriving!

Hike All Trails
2023-10-14 10:00 - 23:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a 6-mile hike of all the trails at Blacklick Woods. Meet at the Trading Post in Ash Grove Picnic Area.

Fall Color Tram Ride
2023-10-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Relax on the tram while enjoying the fall colors. Board at the Nature Center.

Ghost Stories and S'mores
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Share some of your favorite spooky stories, and learn some new ones while you enjoy s’mores at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter fire ring! Free and fun, all supplies provided!

Spooky Fireside Chat
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Enjoy spooky stories and some Inniswood history around a campfire.

Season of the Harvest Yoga
2023-10-10 18:30 - 19:15 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy the changing seasons during this slow yoga flow at Scioto Grove Metro Park! The class will take place at The Grove facility. Weather permitting yoga will take place on the deck. In the case of poor weather the class will take place indoors. Free and fun!

Hike & Canoe
2023-10-10 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-10-09 16:00 - 19:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take in the colors of fall on a hike and canoe trip. Total hiking distance to and from Lake Emily will be 3-miles. Registration is required to participate. Follow this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/2s43jzzr

Try It! Archery
2023-10-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy free and fun archery at the range! All equipment and instruction are provided. Open to ages 8+. Meet at the archery range at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Archery Experience
2023-10-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Ages 8+. Learn how to shoot a bow to defend the park against the spooky invasion of zombies and pumpkins.

Get Ready For Fall Nature Hike
2023-10-08 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll go on a 2-mile or so walk with plenty of stops along the way to discover what the park’s animals and plants are doing to prepare for winter. Great for adults and kids. Meet at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Geology Hike
2023-10-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join Ohio Geological Survey geologist Mohammad Fakhari on a geologic tour of Blendon Woods Metro
Park. Attendees will learn about the formation of unique geological features of the park. Program will be
cancelled in the case of inclement weather. The program is free and open to all ages. Recommended for participants 14+ due to complex nature of the material covered.
Participants should dress appropriately for this outdoor event; waterproof shoes are recommended. Meet near the natural play area.

Autumn Harvest Time
2023-10-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm
All ages
Help with seasonal activities as the farm prepares for winter.

Backpacking Series: Week 3 Fuel and Fire
2023-10-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week 3: We will talk about the pros and cons of various types of backpacking stoves, how much fuel to bring, field maintenance and safety. We will also cover how to minimize campfire impacts, make our own fire starters, and practice building a fire following Leave No Trace principles. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Forest Bathing
2023-10-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist in some good ol’ nature therapy! Feel free to bring something to sit on that’s easy to carry as we take a short hike and practice some quiet, stress-relieving techniques surrounded by trees. Meet at the Nature Center, best for ages 7+.

6-Mile Hike On The Greenway
2023-10-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Get your day off to a good start with 6-mile walk along the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail. We’ll make a few stops along the way but will mostly be walking steadily. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meet at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

After School Archery
2023-10-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take aim at fall themed targets and learn a new skill – archery. Equipment and basic instruction provided.
